Prevalence of Positive Metabisulfite Challenges in Children with Asthma

Abstract

Eighteen of 51 children with asthma (35.3%), ages 5 to 17, reacted with bronchospasm to graduated doses of metabisulfite in acid solution. Reactors were comparable to nonreactors as to age, sex distribution, medication requirements, and baseline forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁). No child had a history suggestive of sulfite sensitivity. These reactions may reflect inhalation of SO₂ during swallowing. The high rate of positive reactions implies that bronchodilator solutions containing significant amounts of sulfite may not produce optimal relief of bronchospasm in a number of children with asthma.